MOUNTAINSIDE — The Mountainside Borough Council passed its $9.9 million 2024 municipal budget on Tuesday following a public hearing.
According to Mayor Paul Mirabella, this is the first time in recent years that the new budget has translated to an increase for Mountainside residents.
According to his budget report, the increase will be approximately $161 per household on an average borough home assessment of $629,424.
The mayor did list some increases responsible for the additional expenses, such as police promotions, the recycling contract, the utilities contract, ladder-truck repairs for the fire department, group insurance rates and pensions.
It was noted that there was an increase of $234,490 related to salaries and police promotions; a $10,000 increase for legal expenses and a $30,000 increase for the Department of Public Works (DPW).
In other business, a moment of silence was observed for Adrienne P. Matejek, wife of Councilman Steven Matejek, who passed away on April 12. According to a statement read by Mayor Mirabella, Adrienne was born on October 9, 1973 in Yokosuka, Japan. Her father was in the Navy and she moved around for most of her young life but called Bremerton, Washington, her hometown. She graduated from Western Washington University in 1996. She and her husband raised two adult children together, Vivienne and Grant.
In a separate matter, the governing body unanimously passed a proclamation declaring that Arbor Day was observed onApril 13 in Mountainside. In celebration, the DPW has planted two new trees in the borough and gave away 500 tree seedlings to Mountainside residents. It was noted that Mountainside was listed as an official Tree City, one of many in the United States.
Further, a resolution was unanimously passed appointing Justyna Zagorska as the borough’s new chief financial officer for a four-year term which started in January of this year.
